High-tension operating switch



Dec. 16, 1924. 11,519,403

M. E. GRAVES ET AL v HIGH TENSION OPERATING SWITCH Filed Dec, 27, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheetr l INVENTOR. MOSS 5. GPA V55. CARL c. sfl/ER/N.

,M BY gm ATTOR Ys. y

Dec.rl6, 1924. 1,519,403

M. E. GRAVES ET AL HIGH TENSION OPERATING SWITCH Filed Dc. 27, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 11 L o J jjg'lL INVEN TOR. MOSS E. @few VES. Y CAfPL C. SEWER/N BY l 7/ s i i fuwwl.

A TORNEYS.

- M. E. GRAVES ET AL HIGH TENSION OPERATING SWITCH I N V EN TOR. 'Masas' E. GRA VES4 cA/L c, SE1/fpm.

BY l w @M ATToR EYS.

Patented Dec. 16, 1924e UNITE TATES asians PATENT OFFICE.

MOSS E. GRAVES AND CARL C. SEVERIN, O2? SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

HIGH-TENSION OPERATING SEVITCH.

Application led December 2'?, 1922.

To ZU lli/0m 'it may conce/vt.'

Be it known that we, Moss E. GRAVES and CARL C. SEVERIN, citizens of the United States, residing at the city and county of San Francisco and State of California; have invented new and useful Improvements in a Highlension Operating Switch, ot which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to air break switches such as are used tor opening the circuits of high tension transmission lines, and especially to improve-ments in the structure ot' the switch sho-wn in our copending application entitled lm iOh tension operat ing switch, tiled December 14, 1921, Serial No. 522,445.

The object ot thepresent invention is to generally improve and simplity switches ot the character described; to so dispose the dielectric parts of the switch that they may be adapted to not only withstand the destructive electrical stresses to which they are exposed, but that they may also successfully withstand the mechanical stressesl to which they are frequently subjected; to reduce the number ot' insulating units rcquired to a minimum; to reduce the number oit' mechanical parts required to a minimum; to provide a switch in which the arcing period when opening the switch is reduced to a minimum by a quick break mechanism; a switch in which the breaking distance can bc readily increased or decreased relative to the height of the supporting poles or towers; a switch which may be opened by gravity and closed by counterweight action; a switch which is automatically grounded when in open position, and which may be wiped and tested without killing or grounding the line, thereby saving labor and eliminating line hazard to workmen. Further objects will hereinafter appear,

@ne Vform which our invention may assume. is exemplified in the following description and illustrated in the accoinpanying drawings, in which# Fig. 1 is a side elevation ot the switch and la polel or tower supporting the same.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the switch and the tower.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view partly in section, showing the quick break mechanisin.

Serial No. 609,224.

Fig. 4 is a cross section on line 4 4, Fig. 3. I

Fig. 5 is a detail view ot' the movable part ot the switch.

Fig. t3 is a cross section on line 6-t3. Fig. S

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, A indicates a suitable support, tor instance such as may be provided by means of a transmission line tower or pole as here illustrated. rThe transmission line in this instance is a three-phase f line, the separate lines being indicated at B, C and D, Each line is dead-ended with relation to the pole by means ot dead end insulators as indicated at 2 and 3; the insulators provided being off the disk or suspension type and being secured to the pole by eye-bolts or the like as here illustrated. Disposed transverse of the line and positioned directly below the saine is a vertically movable switch; generally indicated at E. This switch consists of a transverse bar 4. which is supported by a frame, consisting oit' uprights 5 and a transverse bar 6. The uprights are guided by rollers 7 and the transverse bar is connected to a pole or rod 8, with which is connected means for raising and lowering the switch frame, said means will hereinafter be referred to. Se cured to the lower side ot the transverse bar 4 are three sets oit insulators, generally indicated at 9, 10 and 11. rlhese insulators are of the rigid suspension type and each string ot insulators supports an auxiliary switch frame 12. These trames are disposed below the line wires and are positioned parallel with the same; each frame serving the function ot connecting the lines when a circuit is to be closed.

The auxiliary trames are identical in construction and the description of one will therefore suiiice for all. By referring to Figs. 1, and it will be seen that each auxiliary frame consists of a pair of upright tubular members 18 connected by a horizontal tubular member 14, which in turn is centrally supported by the bar 4 and the string of insulators. The uprights 13 are braced with relation to the horizontal member 14 by means of angle braces 15, and each upright member serves as a guide and receptacle for a plunger rod 16, which is nor- CTI (ill

malla',Y held in depressed position by means ot a lower collar 17 and an interposed surroundinghelical spring` 18. There is one plunger rod 16 in each upright 13, and each plunger carries a switch member generally indicated at 19. The switch members employed in each instance are identical. They consist ot three flexible lingers or copper blades 20, which terminate in carbon tips 21, see Figs. 3 and There are three sets of lingers disposed on each side and these fingers serve the function of forming a contact with the line when the switch is closed. The lingers aro secured to a head member r2 disposed on the upper end 'it the pluir er 16 and this head member in turn supports a flexible jumper cable 23, the opposite ond ot' which is connected to a clamp 2d secured on the upper end ot the respective uprights 13. Vlhese clamps are in turn connected by a wire or cable 25, and a' complete circuit is thus formed between the lingers 2O and the ends ot the line when the switch is closed. The only reason tor employing,` cables such as indicated at and 25, i.s to avoid pooi contacts, that is, it the auxiliary trame were depended upon for a conductor, it would be obvious that more or less arcing or burningl would take place. when the plungers 16 are extended and retracted, such burning is avoided by the use ot the cables referred to.

For the purliose of producing a quick break switch, a pivotally mounted contact` lever 26 is employed. AThis lever ter in a rounded end 27, which is enrD t:rripped by the lingers 2G when the sw' closed. The opposite end ot the lever is pivotally secured, as at 28, to a clamp E29. which is turnably mounted on. a irrulo or bushing 3() secured directly to the line. Fil op collars 31 secured to this bushingl prevent endwise movement ol the clamp 29 and the lever 26 and perfect contact with the lover. without passing through the Yterrule and the. clamp 29, is obtained by a jumper conuection 32. spring is also attached 'to the lever as indicated a; and this sp1-ingr serves the function ot normally maintaini the contact end 27' in parallelism with the line or in the position shown in Fig. 3. The contact end is :furthermore guided to mann tain such parallelism by means off a clump 311, which terminates .in V-shaped gilt/liuc1 :i rms 35, see Fig. 4.

ln actual. operation with the switch in closed position, as shown in Figs. l. 2 and 3. a circuit will pass from the line wire D through the jumper 32, arm 26. fingers 20, jumper wire 23, wire 25. then tluouch the opposite liuiuper and lingers 20 which engage the opposite lever 26. The current then passes through this lever and the jumper indicated at 32 and i'inally enters the `opposite end of the line indicated at D. A perfect circuit is maintained by the jumper wires shown and arcinfg, or burning' between movable parts is thus prevented., that is, the jumper wire 32 makes a perfect contact with the levers r26, thus avoiding burning at the pivotal connection 28. Tl'ie wires 23 similarly 'torni positive connections between the lingers 20 and the wire 25, thus avoiding burning or arcing when thc plunn'ei's are reciprocated as will hereina'tter be described.

lt should, therefore, be obvious that the only parts ot the switch which will be subjected. to any arcing or burning action are the parts represented by the contact ends ot the levers 26 and the fingers 20, however means are employed for quickly breakingcontacts when opening; the switch. 'This accomplished in the following; manner:

TWhen the switch is to be opened, the main trame .lil is rapidly lowered. Duringr this lowering; action a fairly secure grip is maiir tained between the fingers 2O and the contacting' ends 27 of the levers 26. The plungers 16 will. therefore, raise in their rcspectiveguides 13, and the levers 26 will. at the same time. swing about their connections 28. The tension on the springs 33, and similarly the tension on the springs` 18, however, rapidly increases during' i, .c lowering' ot the main switch trame and as this is the case a point is obviously' reached where this spring tension overcomes the gripijiing tension ot the ngers 20. The contacting ends 27 ot the levers 26 are thus released and the levers 26 are instantaneously returned to assume their normal horizontal position, due to the sprirojs The plungers 1G carrying; the .F.i'injcrs 20 are, at the same time, returned to rctracted normal position b v the springs 1R.. and as the switch trame is sii'nultaneou l2.' traveling in a downward direction with rapid movement. it is obvious that the actual time required to break the circuit is reduced to a minimum, thatl is. the return ot the arms 26, when released, is almost instantaneous, and similarly the return oit' the plungers 18 which carry the lingers 2li. This rapid separation or return vo" the separate members or" the switch is ot great importance it reduces the arcing period to a minimum. that is, an arc is always Ytorifned during' the separation ot the coutacts in a switch ol: this character. and it is ther-clore exceedingly important to reduce the time ot the arcing; period as much as possible. In this instance the actual time of separation and return of the members tu normal position takes place in a small. fraction of a second and destin/tive burningr ot the contacts is thus avoided. ln fact the only parts which are subject to burnin;` are the outer ends olf the fingers 20, and as these are carbon tipped as illustrated, it is pivotal switch.

obvious that the tips may 'be renewed whenever required;

The present invent-ion also embodies a novel method of opening and closingl the This is accomplished' as' follows:

Disposed at the bottom ot the pole or tower, indicated at A?, is a. circular. cylindrical casing' F. Disposed at the respective ends ot the casing are hingedv doors 41 and i-2,y each ot which is adapted to be locked,y and' by means olt a clamp The upper door All.

is then opened by means of a key anda series ot counterweights 4T- are placed on the weight est; the number ot counterweights placedthereon being more than suiiicient to raise the switch therefrom. When these weights have been placed in position. it is only necessary to close the door stl and then to release the clamp 46. The weights will then'tr'aveldownwardly in the casing F and will finally assume the full line. position sho-wn'in Fig; l in the lower end ot the casing. raised to assume the fullline position shown and a circuit is thus closedbetween the contacts previously described.' .lit the switch is closed and it is desired to open the same. a reverse operation takes place, that is, the clamp 46 is again iured. The lower" door is opened andthe c'ounterweights l? are reinored. The door is again closed and locked and the clamp Lt6 is then released. The

weight of the switch trame is new sullicient to cause it to drop' by gravity and as it will drop rapidly. due to the removal ofthe counterweights. it is obvious that the Contacts 2() and 27 will separate with a snap and reduce the arcing period to a minimum. This method ot opening` and clos-ing the switch is important from several'points of view: iirst ot all. it there should be a short circuit ot any kind in the tower or supported structure the operator wouldnot be greatly endangered as his only duty is either that of applying or removing the counterweights, as the case may be. and then releasing the clamp lo. ln other words. he does this before any movement-is imparted to the switch and as he can step away the moment the' clamp @t6 released, it is obvious that all danger is avoided as the openingy or closing' of the switch thereafter will be automatically taken care of.

The switch opening and closing-` means are ot tnrther importance as tampering by unauthorized persons is prevented; that is, .the--v The switch will" simultaneously be switch is locked either in an open or closed position when the doors 4l and 4t2 a're'clofsed, andas these doors can only be opened by a key, it obvious that ltheyr can not loe tampered with, as only an authorized person will carry the key. Means are also provided for further safeguarding; the operator or the workmen as the ground circuit is automatically closedv when the switch is lowered; to open position; that is, a pair oli contacts 50, which are grounded as shown in Fig. 2, engage the main switch trame when this is lowered and as such grounds the same, This is, obviously, ot great importance as it willv permit the line-men to wipe the insulators and" to repair and test the switch without danger of being subjected to current shocks'or otherwise.

The present structure, as previously stated, is an imprm'ement on our co-pending application already referred to, It contains several features which are important when comparison is made therewith. First, it canbc seen that the structure as a whole is exceedingly simple and substantial in construction; that comparatively tew switch parts are employed and such are employed are ot standard construction and readily obtainable. Secondly, the number ot insulators employed is reduced to ai minimum as only one string` of insulators, suc-h as shown at 9, l() and 1L will be required' 'for each subtraine. A high degree ot insulation is int/his manner obtained as' insulators ot the rigid suspension type may be employed andas only one unit is required for each rainegit is obvious that the cost, as Ytar as insulation' is concerned is reduced to a minimum,

Third, by employing-` the quick breakmecha-` nism illustrated, arciug between the contacts is practically avoided,y as the break is so quick or rapid that, even though arcing; does take place. it is 'tor such a short time period that' no material damage can be eifected. Fourth, practically any breaking distance may be obtained, tirst by increasing ordecreasing the vertical movement ot the switch,4 and secondly by incrcasine or decreasing the distance between the respective sets ot' contact ting-1ers 20. Exceedingly high voltages can,I theretore. be readily taken care oi. Fifth. all movable parts employed are dead and grounded when the switch is opened and as this is the case all hazard or danger to the line-men or workers is eliminated when lthe switches are being inspected, wiped. repaired. etc.

lllhile certain features ot' the present invention are more or less specitieallj,y illustrated. we wish it understood that various changes in torm and proportion may beresorted to within the scope of the appended claims, similarly tha-t the materials and finish ot the several parts employed maybel such as the experience and `iudgrnen't ofthe ters Patent is- 1. The combination with a high potential transmission line and a support thereforI having insulating units dead-ending the line with relation to the support, of a switch member movable to and away from the line, and a quick break mechanism carried by the switch and adapted to ii alte or break a circuit through the line.

2. The combination with a high potential transmission line and a support therefor' having insulating units dead-ending the line with relation to the support, of al switch member movable to and away from the line, and a quick break mecl'ianism carried by the f switch and the line and adapted to malte or break a circuit through the line.

3. The combination with a high potential transmission line and a support therefor having insulating units dead-ending the line with relation to the support, of a switch member movable to and away from the line, contact members carried by said switch and engageable'with the line to .close a circuit therethrough, and means for automatically l'grounding the switch when the circuit through the line is broken.

4. The combination with a high potential transmission line and a support therefor having insulating units dead-ending the line f with relation to the support, of a frame vertically movable on the support, guide rollers engaging the frame, a switch frame disposed at right angles to the first named frame and suspended from said lirst named frame by means of insulators disposed at o ne point, and contacts carried by said switch frame and engageable with the line wires to close a circuit therethrough.

5. In a switch of the character described the combination with a support and a frame vertically movable thereon, of a single insulating unit carried by said frame, and a switch frame secured to and carried by said single insulating unit.

.6. In a switch of the character described the combination with dead-ended line wires, of a clamp carried by each line wire 'and freely turnable thereon, an arm pivotally mounted in each clamp, spring means normally holding the arms in parallelism with the line wires, and a switch member movable into and out of engagement with said levers to make or break a circuit through the line.

7. In a switch of the character described the combination with deadeended line wires,

the line wires, a switch member disposed in parallelism with the line and below the same, a pair of plungers, one at each end of said switch member, and said plungers Abeing normally spring retracted, contact members on the upper end of each plunger and engageable with the levers carried by the line, and means for raising and lowering switch member, and said plungers being normally spring retracted, contact members on the upper end of each plunger and engageable with the levers carried by the line, a conductor wire carried by the switch frame. a jumper connection between each end of said wire and the plunger contacts, and a jumper connection between each lever contact. and its adjacent line wire.

9. In a switch of the character described a. vertically movable switch member, a pulley, a cable passing over the pulley and having one end attached to the switch member, a weight on the opposite end of the cable, an elongated casing in which saidl weight travels, a door iat each `end of the casing. means for locking eachfdoor, means permitting addition or removal of counterweights to the first named weight. and means for releasing or clamping thel cable against movement.

10. In la switch of the character described the combination with dead-ended line wires. of a switch frame vertically movable with relation to the line wires. a quick break attachment disposed on each end of the switch frame, a quick break cooperating switch member carried by each line wire, and means for imparting a vert-ical movement to the switch frame. l

l1. In a switch of the character described the combination with dead-ended line wires. and a support therefor. of ferrule secured to each line wire, a clamp turnably mounted on each ferrule, :1 lever carried by each clamp and pivotally secured thereto. spring actuated means normally*maintaining said levers in parallelism with their respective line wires, a jumper connection between each lever and adjacent wire. and a. switch member movable to and away from said levers.

12. In a switch of the character described the combination with dead-ended line wires. and a support therefor, of'a ferrule secured to each line wire, a clamp turnably mounted on each ferrule, a lever carried by each llO clamp and pivotally secured thereto, spring actuated means normally maintaining said levers in parallelism with their respect-ive line wires, a jumper Connection between each lever and adjacent wire, al switch member movable to and away from said levers, and a quick break contactmember disposed on each end of said switch member and engageable with the pivotally mounted levers to make or break a` circuit through the line wires.

i3. In a switch of the character described the combination with dead-ended line wires.` and a support therefor, of ay errule secured to each line wire, a clamp turnably mounted on each ferrule, a lever carried by each clamp and pivotally secured thereto, spring activated means normally maintaining said levers in parallelism with their respective line wires, ay jumper connection between each lever and adjacent wire, a, switch member movable to and away from said levers, a. single insulating unit supporting the switch member, and means for imparting a vertical movement to said insulating unil` and the switch member.

MOSS E. GRAVES. CARL C. SEVERIN. 

